Do most people that move there change their cell numbers to a local number?

In my experience it's been around 70/30 keep it/change it. Caller ID works much more poorly with a local cell number, but the benefits outweigh the negatives for me. For one, people on landlines will not want to call your long-distance stateside number. In situations where you have to give a driver's license or a phone number, some people will take you more seriously if you have local ones.

I find that many/most local businesses have a land line - they incur long distance charges calling a non 340 phone # ------ most people have a cell phone for their personal use and a non 340 # is usually included on their plan.
Overall I think you will find a local 340 # will generate more call backs from businesses and Govt. agencies.

We changed to 340 when we moved to STX in 2003. We moved back to the states in 2012 and we STILL have the 340 number. Lol.

We kept both our , local area code...ie 401 and than added one 340 area code line.

We did this with the go phone for ATT. The wife purchased a ATT go phone in RI before arriving, $20 phone dollars. This gave us a 401 area code(RI). We than went with the ATT Go phone $50 a month unlimited calls, text, and able to check emails.

I purchased a ATT cell phone here on St Croix, $9.99 flip phone....340 area code. Same, $50 a month charge. Advantages, if you job seeking, helps to have local area code, one of job searching challenges is to convince the potential employer he is hiring someone who is staying on the island for the long term. If employer has local line, having local area code doesnt give them a reason not to call you----ie occurring a long distance charge if non local area code. Moreover, if you dial 911 it goes to local emergency. Also for convenience, if your dialing local number from a 340 area code, you dont have to dial 1-area code AND than the number.

The wife has the other line, home state area code. Allows family and friends to call and not have to pay long distance when calling---thou most calls from cell phone to cell phone from states to 340 area code are not long distance charges. However, alot of family and friends still have land lines in states.Disadvantage, still think if you dial 911 from non 340 area code you get emergency 911 in the area code of the phone. You will always have to dial 1 , area code, and than the number for all local calls.

Both ATT phones were the exact same. Both are pay as you go and you renew monthly. Maybe about $15 a month for both more than having a plan with ATT, however, no fighting monthly over bill charges and $15 is worth to have two area codes-----although ATT store told me last time if I go with plan, I could keep both area codes.

Another option might be is keep your existing plan, arrive to islands and go to Radio Shack and purchase a $19.99 go phone.....put $30 on the phone, and go with the plan pay as you go. Little extra monthly , however, you still have existing phone and also a local phone for a few months. Try it for a ferw months, and than decide what works best for you.

Bottom line, its all what works for you.

PS Make sure your existing carrier doesnt charges if using in 340 area code, ie I know Verizon does, ATT and SPRINT doesnt, it the same whether on idlands or states.

... On a side note, if you were to be job hunting, it can make a difference... A prepaid phone is the way to go...

Only problem I've ever had with stateside area code is, my groomer cannot call me as she doesn't have long distance. I have to call her to see if she is through with my dog. Other than that, no problems. However, I am not looking for a job here, I'm retire

One advantage of having a local number is the taxes may be much lower. I kept my NY cell, but my mobile broadband has local number. Quite a difference.